Topic: Millionaire Tax

Washington State legislators are moving toward passing a "millionaires tax" of 9.9% on earnings over a million dollars, despite a state constitutional ban on income tax. Opponents, including Representative Jim Walsh, argue the threshold will eventually be lowered to apply to all citizens. Mimi Smith-Dvorak notes that the Washington Association of Cities is a primary lobbyist for the tax and expresses concern over the integrity of the state's mail-in voting system.

Michael Bloomberg challenged Bernie Sanders during the debate regarding his status as a millionaire with three houses. Sanders defended his property ownership, citing his work in Washington and a summer camp in Vermont. Bloomberg countered by emphasizing that he pays his taxes in New York City rather than utilizing offshore tax havens.

Curry provides a brief political update on the rhetoric surrounding tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. He notes the Democratic claim that Republicans intend to lower taxes for the wealthy while raising them for the middle class.

Senator Mary Landrieu clarified the distinction between "millionaires" (those with $1 million in assets) and those with an annual income over $1 million during a hearing. She argued that the proposed tax increases target high-income families rather than those who have simply accumulated assets through hard work. The hosts comment on Landrieu's appearance and her debate with Senator Marco Rubio.